As National Dessert Day approaches on October 14th, here are a few spots around the world that are celebrating and inspiring others to indulge in sweet treats from the comfort of their homes.
St. Regis Bermuda Resort
The chefs at St. Regis Bermuda Resort invite you to celebrate National Dessert Day at home with their quick and easy recipe for the Bermudian Rum Cake served at one of their on-property restaurants, Lina.
An ultimate classic on the island of Bermuda, this spongy and boozily moist rum cake, made with Gosling’s Rum, topped with cream cheese icing, and ideally served alongside cinnamon ice cream, will transport anyone who has the opportunity to indulge in it to the crystalline waters and breathtaking blush-pink sandy beaches of the island.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort – Miami, FL
At Miami’s Best Address, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, sweet-seeking travelers will discover timeless tradition paired with exquisite seasonal flavors.
At the light-filled La Gourmandise, travelers may indulge in an Afternoon Tea experience inspired by the colors, flavors and aromas of the season.
Thoughtfully curated by Assistant Pastry Sous Nagypsy Marzouka, this season’s menu features seasonal fruits, chocolates and selection of sweets.
Menu highlights this National Dessert Day include a Mango Mojito Petite Gateaux inspired by one of Miami’s favorite cocktails and made with mango mousse, mango curd and a mojito sponge cake.
Plated atop a small bed of “pearls,” the dessert delivers a refreshing and zesty taste of the city.
Guests may also enjoy a Passion Fruit Mousse and Coconut Verrine for a taste of the Caribbean, where Marzouka hails from, or enjoy her personal favorite creation: a Praline Rocher Choux, inspired by the iconic Ferrero Rocher Chocolate and filled with Tahitian vanilla praline pastry cream, topped with a chocolate glaze and toasted hazelnuts.
Guests may also indulge in a delightful Basil Lemon French Madeleine infused with basil and lemon zest to deliver a unique combination of color, taste and texture from first bite, or a round of Afternoon Tea classics such as Strawberry Rosemary Scones to finish the afternoon with flair.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo – Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Rolling the grounds of Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, the new fine dining restaurant at the iconic Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, is a one-of-a-kind dessert trolley, featuring specialty tarts and eclairs, exquisitely designed cakes, fruit-filled pies, delicate sorbets and more, at the helm of Pastry Chef Patrick Mesiano.
A show in and of itself, Mesiano works with a talented team of 14 pastry makers to craft and curate this sensational dessert trolley daily, serving as a ‘surprise-and-delight’ moment for restaurant-goers.
What’s more, visitors will have the opportunity to witness Mesiano and his team at work within the ‘backstage’ area of Les Ambassadeurs, where a den of sweet treats awaits alongside an all-glass wine cellar containing exceptional vintage bottles.
For further sweet indulgence, guests may enjoy an Afternoon Tea Affair at the warm and elegant Lobby Bar, known for its signature apple turnovers, and enjoy the flavors of yuzu, blanc-mangé and basil in the popular ‘Ichigo’ dessert at Yoshi, the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to have been awarded a Michelin star.
La Mamounia – Marrakech, Morocco
Morocco’s legendary palace hotel La Mamounia invites travelers to indulge in an expansive collection of sweet treats and world-famous ice-cream at the helm of the acclaimed French pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé.
At the onsite Le Menzeh par Pierre Hermé, Hermé’s selection of ice-cream flavors uniquely nod to Moroccan cuisine and culture, including the signature Moroccan coffee and amlou, a Moroccan spread consisting of argan oil, almonds, and honey.
Signature sorbet flavors include raspberry with lychee and rose, pistachio with raspberry, passion fruit and lemon, as well as elevated chocolate and vanilla classics.
Guests may enjoy Hermé’s ice-cream at Le Menzeh this National Dessert Day, which is the first and most historic building on-property, alongside delicate macaróns, croissants, madeleines, and an array of chocolate delights.
Originally known as “Le Marabout” and named after a legend whereby a marabout watched over La Mamounia, this charming pavilion awaits to be discovered at the end of a picturesque stroll along a pathway lined with rose bushes and ancient olive trees.
Willard InterContinental Washington. D.C.
Long-celebrated since the 1920s, Afternoon Tea at the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. is one of the city’s most cherished traditions.
Alongside an exclusive selection of the finest estate and boutique blended loose-leaf teas by J’enwey Tea Company, is an expansive collection of delicate sweet treats and freshly-baked pastries thoughtfully curated at the helm of French Pastry Chef Sabri Uzun.
When asked about his unique selection of desserts on Willard’s Afternoon Tea menu, Uzun notes, “Desserts are a symphony of flavors and textures that captivate our senses and leave lasting impressions.”
His personal favorite is the signature Hazelnut Mousse Passion Fruit Gelee complemented by a Banana Macarón Shell, which “adds complexity and intrigue to every bite” with its varying textures.
Uzun’s hope is for each dessert on the menu to transport visitors to a “symphony of flavors.”
In celebration of the fall season, Uzun recently introduced Orange Cranberry Scones to the Afternoon Tea experience, delivering a delightful balance of “citrusy brightness and a hint of tanginess, making it the perfect treat for the tea.”
As the leaves begin to change colors, visitors will soon have the opportunity to experience this special seasonal iteration of Willard’s legendary Afternoon Tea.
Carlisle Bay Antigua
Carlisle Bay Antigua is the perfect destination for travelers who seek out unique gastronomic experiences during their vacation.
This five-star luxury resort is well-known for its diverse choices of restaurants and bars, all of which utilize locally sourced produce and ingredients from the chef’s own garden.
Here, guests will also have the pleasure of indulging in traditional Antiguan desserts from Prabhakar Kumar, the resort’s Executive Chef.
One such example is the Antiguan Rum Cake, also known as Black Cake.
It is far more than just a dessert; it is a symbol of celebration, tradition, and togetherness across Antigua and Barbuda.
This cake is rich and flavorful, and is made with a combination of dried fruits, spices, and quality rum. Other treats that may be found include the Antiguan Pineapple Upside Down, a delightful pastry used in celebrations, that features locally grown pineapples, caramelized topping, and oftentimes coconut; and the Antiguan Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake, whichcombines the earthy sweetness of pumpkin with warm spices and creamy cheese, making it a unique and flavorful dessert that holds cultural significance, especially during high holidays.
Hotel Clio
Found at Hotel Clio’s signature restaurant Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge, guests can indulge in the smashable La Bomba dessert – a work of art in and of itself.
Constructed with the same ingredients but smashed differently each time, this edible art creation promises that each bite will be unique.
The La Bomba consists of a chocolate sphere, cookie crumbles, seasonal berries, assorted sorbets and ice cream, perfect for guests seeking an unforgettable and creative dessert experience.
Carneros Resort and Spa This National Dessert Day
Perhaps there is no better way to celebrate National Dessert Day than with the beloved Boon Fly Donuts at Boon Fly Café – a fun, lively and vibrant roadhouse-inspired restaurant, located at Napa Valley’s premier luxury resort, Carneros Resort and Spa.
Praised for its signature donuts covered in delicate, powdered sugar, which can also be accompanied by a rich chocolate dipping sauce, diners of all ages are invited to satisfy their sweet tooth guilt-free on this one-of-a-kind day.
The Galt House Hotel
Whether travelers are chocolate enthusiasts or are seeking to satisfy sugary cravings, Swizzle Dinner & Drinks at The Galt House Hotel has every dessert lover’s needs covered with the restaurant’s signature Chocolate Blackout Cake.
Made with layers of chocolate cake and fudge buttercream that is finished with a salted bourbon caramel, guests can experience the best of both worlds this National Dessert Day with a treat that pleases both sweet and savory palettes.
Scottsdale, AZ – The Dessert Mecca within a Desert Town
The desert town of Scottsdale, Arizona, boasts a plethora of sweet treats that are perfect for travelers and locals, alike.
From a classic ice cream sundae to the aroma of cinnamon sugar and fried dough, the destination is the one-stop shop for all dessert lovers.
Please see the standout offerings below.
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant
No trip to Old Town Scottsdale is complete without the old-timey fun at the Sugar Bowl.
A 50-year-old+ parlor with classic diner eats and some of the best ice cream sundaes in town, Sugar Bowl iconic status, coupled with its all-pink décor, is a trip down memory lane.
Whether it be with family or solo, travelers are invited to enjoy some of the best desserts in town.
Sweet Republic
Sweet Republic truly took the Scottsdale ice cream scene by storm when it opened in 2008, and its cult-like following continues to grow.
All ice creams and vegan sorbets are handcrafted using 100 percent natural ingredients.
Creating its own cones, toppings and sauces in-house, Sweet Republic also provides a rotating menu featuring at least 20 flavors, ranging from the adventurous, like Mayan Chocolate, Honey Blue Cheese, to the sublime Butterscotch Pecan, Cabernet Pear.
Cien Agaves
Perhaps after a hearty meal, a churro sundae from Old Town’s Cien Agaves, will seal the deal.
This sweet treat starts with a princely scoop of vanilla bean ice cream covered with a shot of fluffy whipped cream and then showered with caramel sauce.
Anchored by warm cinnamon-sugar flecked churros, this sundae just might rock your world.
New COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Making his Asia debut in the new COMO Metropolitan Singapore, officially opening on October 9 just in time for national dessert day, is internationally acclaimed French pastry chef Cédric Grolet.
Accompanied by the hotel, which is housed within COMO Orchard, the brand’s newest immersive experience building spread over 19 floors in the heart of Singapore on Bideford Road, is Grolet’s pastry shop on the first floor of the building.
Serving his signature, extraordinary confections inspired by fruits and flowers, the pastry shop, which is Grolet’s fourth shop after Paris and London, will serve desserts, sandwiches and a Singapore exclusive tea menu tasting as beautiful as they look.